Maurice Williams Dies: Singer For No. 1 Hit ‘Stay’ Featured On ‘Dirty Dancing’ Soundtrack Was 86

Maurice Williams, the lead singer of Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, died Tuesday at the age of 86. No cause was given

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Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, Williams went on to form his first group, The Royal Charms, during his high school years.

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame reported his first major hit in 1957 with the song “Little Darlin’,” which he wrote and recorded with his group, The Gladiolas.

The song rose to #11 on the Billboard R&B Chart, and later became a major hit when recorded by The Diamonds. In 1959, Williams renamed the group to Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs.

In 1960, they released “Stay,” which became the shortest No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart at just 1 minute and 32 seconds. “Stay” was also featured in the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing .

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Williams also had the 1961 hit “May I,” which became his third million-seller.

Williamsbecame a member of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007 and the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Survived by his wife, Emily.

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